Kenosha Comic Convention Review

The Kenosha Comic Convention Feb. 17th Show Review

Looking for treasure at a comic convention?

Sunday, February 17th saw the 6th Kenosha Comic Convention take place at the Radisson Hotel & convention Center in Kenosha, WI. This, however, was not a normal occurance of this particular show. The Feb. 17th Kenosha Comic Convention was also a fund raiser for Manny Pascual from Kelly’s Comics. This brought out many a fan who supported the family of Manny with donations, and made this one of the busiest comic conventions to hit Kenosha in quite some time.

The Biggest Kenosha Comic Convention yet

Roughly 15 dealers were on hand, with a variety of comic books, posters, action figures, t-shirts, and statues. Fan attendance was sharply up, and deals were to be found all around. The Kenosha Comic Convention was founded by Sean Pankonie from Cryptic Legends and fills a gap for comic fans looking for a show in between Chicago and Milwaukee. With an admission of only $2, the show is ultra-affordable for fans looking to fill out their collections. There were several dealers offering $2 silver and early bronze age issues, making the days of several bargain hunters. $2 action figures were also plentiful, and everyone looking for rare DVDs or hard to find TV series were pleased to see several vendors offering these.

How The Kenosha Comic Convention Has Grown

As an attendee at the very first Kenosha Comic Convention, I can definitely report that the growth has been remarkable. This show has gone from a small 15 table setup with a handful of dealers offering a small variety of wares to a large scale show with enough inventory to fill up several shops and a selection that even the most picky fans can be pleased with. The downfall of most small local shows is a lack of variety, the sense that every vendor is the same and that if you’ve been to the show once, there’s just no need to go again. The Kenosha Comic Convention has grown out of this trap and has developed into a show that, when you miss it, you’re actually missing something.

The Kenosha Comic Convention In Review

At the end of the day, the Kenosha Comic Convention isn’t the biggest show in the MidWest, but for those of you looking for a good local show to fill up on some back issues, find a new geek related T-shirt, and talk with other enthusiasts about your favorite hobby, the Kenosha Comic Convention is worth checking out. Stay tuned for info on when the next one is, and a big thanks to Cryptic Legends for putting this on! Grade: B+

For more info from Cryptic Legends, follow them here: http://www.facebook.com/cryptic.legends

For info on upcoming shows, be sure to join our Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Do-You-Like-Comics/253177364798246

Bill A.

I’ve been a fan of comics since I first tuned in to the X-Men cartoon on Saturday mornings and got hooked as a kid. I started my business in 2010, Geek Inc Comics, and have been selling both online and at shows all over the Midwest since then. My heart belongs to Marvel, but I’ll happily discuss any series, any artist, any movie, any time.

More Posts – Website

Follow Me:

Mighty Con Comic Convention On Mandy Madrox TV

The latest episode of Many Madrox TV featured an interview with the founder of the Mighty Con Comic Convention Bill Ahart. Mandy got the low down on the upcoming March 2nd Might Con show, including an in depth look at the artists, creators, and vendors that will be in attendance.

Mandy and Bill also discussed why comic shows are so important to the comic book world, and what guests can get out of going to a show that they can’t get from their local shop.

The interview covered over a dozen of the top guests and vendors that will be at Mighty Con on March 2nd at the Dupage Fairgrounds, including artists like Mark Stegbauer and Dan Hulina, creators like Blackheart Comics, and vendors like Geek Inc Comics and First Aid Comics. Bill also let Mandy know about the Blackheart Comics sponsored costume contest, which includes cash prizes.

Check out the full interview below, and don’t forget to stop by the Mighty Con comic convention on Saturday, March 2nd at the Dupage Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Rd. in Wheaton IL.

Bill A.

I’ve been a fan of comics since I first tuned in to the X-Men cartoon on Saturday mornings and got hooked as a kid. I started my business in 2010, Geek Inc Comics, and have been selling both online and at shows all over the Midwest since then. My heart belongs to Marvel, but I’ll happily discuss any series, any artist, any movie, any time.

More Posts – Website

Follow Me:

Comic Show June 21st – 23rd

Mighty Con’s First Weekend Show! Bring The Show Back To The Fans!!!

Where is the comic convention?

Mega Center at Pheasant Run – 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL, 60174

View Larger Map

When is the Mighty Con comic book convention?

June 22nd to 23rd

The doors will open to the public at:

• Saturday 10 a.m till 5pm.
• Sunday 11am till 4pm
• Bonus Friday Night Preview – Get a weekend pass and be able to beat the crowd and join us Friday night 6pm to 9pm for the Friday Night Preview! 

How Much to Get In?

Unlike most weekend shows the Mighty Con show only costs $10 for one day passes (Saturday or Sunday) or $15 for the whole weekend (which includes the Friday Night Preview).

Make sure to secure you tickets by pre-ordering your tickets below! 

Who’s Coming to the Show?

 Sign up for our newsletter for up and coming guests

kevin

More Posts

Detroit Fanfare 2012 Review

Detroit Fanfare 2012

Detroit Fanfare 2012 is done, but how was it?  2 days (3 really) of fun and events, signings and sales.  Some good guests, some great attendees, and a big variety of vendors made for one interesting weekend.  So, let’s get down to the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The weekend kicked off Friday, with a preview night where guests got to check out the sizeable artists/creator room and the vendor room (which was also lined with artists and creators).  One immediately noticeable ting about the show was the ratio of artists/creators to vendors.  There were roughly a dozen comic book vendors (given, many had multiple booths worth of space, but it’s still the same person) compared to several dozen artists/creators.  Deals were to be had though, and there were a lot of smaller artists and creators that you don’t get to see at some other shows.  Friday night was just 6-9, so things were brief, as to be expected for a “preview night”.

Saturday is when the festivities really kicked off.  This was a long day for a show, going from 10-7.  There were plenty of signings, talks, and events to make it well worth the $15 admission.  Plenty of convention exclusives were available, although one of the more sought after Big Dog Ink exclusives was not actually available for sale, and was only offered to dealers.  Attendance was solid enough that you felt like you were at a big time event, but small enough that it was easy to get around.  The Hyatt (or by the time you read this, the former Hyatt) where the event was held offers free parking and is easy to get around, making this overall a very visitor friendly event.

The celebrity and guest list was small, but for an event of this cost it was a good deal.  Flash Gordon, Darth Vader, and Spawn/Black Dynamite all hanging out and signing autographs.  An exclusives table near the front door gave visitors a chance to not just grab signing material for this show and exclusive variant covers from this year, but variants and exclusives from past Fanfare shows as well.  After the show floor closed for the night at 7, people prepped for an evening of fun, including a 24 hour game room with PS3s, 360s, and Wiis on the top floor of the hotel, a viewing of Flash Gordon with Sam Jones in attendance, and an after party with a full bar, DJ, and costume contest.

Sunday saw the usual markdowns for people seeking out great deals, and foot traffic was surprisingly brisk.  For a day when the Lions were playing, show attendance was very strong and this gave the last day a fun atmosphere.  Overall, the show definitely could have used a larger variety of dealers, particularly those with a wider variety of stock, but the booth cost was a bit high for a show of this size to attract all that many people.  Admission was very reasonable, and the free parking was a nice bonus, so if you didn’t get a chance to come this year keep an eye out for next year.

Overall Grade: C+

Bill A.

I’ve been a fan of comics since I first tuned in to the X-Men cartoon on Saturday mornings and got hooked as a kid. I started my business in 2010, Geek Inc Comics, and have been selling both online and at shows all over the Midwest since then. My heart belongs to Marvel, but I’ll happily discuss any series, any artist, any movie, any time.

More Posts – Website

Follow Me:

Kokomo Con Review

Kokomo Con 2012 Review

Kokomo Con 2012 has come and gone, so how’d it go and what do you have to look forward to in Kokomo Con 2013?

The day started for convention goers at 10 a.m. (with a few early admission people as well), greeted by several dozen booths of comic book and toy vendors, artists, creators, and a mixture of other interesting setups.  The number of comic book vendors was down this year, with only about a dozen vendors set up selling.  Several toy vendors were out, with everything from new hard to find Marvel Legends figures to classic Masters of the Universe castles.  Good deals were easy to find, with one vendor even offering 5 for $1 comics all day long, with a surprisingly large selection to go through.

The real attraction of the show was the creators section through.  Taking up the middle aisles, the artists and writers were out in force, with everything from small independent publishers to major artists drawing sketches, signing books, and selling prints.  The sheer number of creators was impressive for a smaller show, and that alone made this convention worth the trip.  Many of these people set up at shows like Wizard World and C2E2, making admission for a show they’re at only $10 a true bargain.

Kokomo Con also featured a nice selection of variety in its booths, from a tarot card reader to a tattoo artist to a roller derby team.  Change of pace booths like these kept the show fresh, and definitely made sure that there was a little something for everyone.

Unfortunately, attendance was down from what was expected, so people looking to rub shoulders with their fellow geeks had a few less shoulders to rub.  This also kept sales a bit lower at vendor booths, which in the ends means most vendors had less room to work with on making deals.  And with fewer vendors there selling product, that means that at the end of the day there were also less great finds to be had overall.

At the end of the day, when the show ended around 6 o clock, people left having had a good time.  If you’re local to the area, Kokomo Con 2013 is definitely worth the time and low admission.  But, if you’re looking at a drive of an hour or more, you may be better off looking for a more local show.  The lower number of genuine vendors means this lacked some of the appeal that a large convention hall show has, but the high number of artists and creators helped balance at least some of that out.

Bill A.

I’ve been a fan of comics since I first tuned in to the X-Men cartoon on Saturday mornings and got hooked as a kid. I started my business in 2010, Geek Inc Comics, and have been selling both online and at shows all over the Midwest since then. My heart belongs to Marvel, but I’ll happily discuss any series, any artist, any movie, any time.

More Posts – Website

Follow Me:

Wizard World Review: Where Have All The Comics Gone?

Wizard World Review – Pop Culture Geek (Flickr.com)

Another Wizard World Chicago has come and gone.  And that means it’s time for another Wizard World Review! This year saw a few more hours added to the shows time, some big name guests, and an abnormal amount of grumbling on both sides of the booths.  The number of vendors greatly increased this year, which saw a new layout to the show floor.  Unfortunately, this layout split vendors into three sections.  One section near the entrance which seemed to have a large number of comic vendors, one to the right of the entrance that had a wide variety of vendors, and a back section that seemed all but forgotten, spuring a petition from jaded vendors upset that they paid the highest prices ever in the region for a booth just to have been shuffled into a back corner where customers barely noticed them.

The high costs of getting in, from parking to admission to concessions, had a noticable effect on spending.  Most of the vendors I talked to reported weekend ranging from “can’t wait to just go home” to “meh, we did okay”.  Customers seemed equally irritated by many of the offerings, complaining about high prices (which some vendors needed to make up for the high booth costs), long lines, poor organization, and slim selection.  One couple I spoke to was given free weekend vendor class passes after they complained to management about the selection and prices, citing how much the show has changed over the past few years.

One issue that’s not going to go away anytime soon is without a doubt the venue.  This is the same room that I walked into for Wizard World twenty years ago, and it hasn’t changed since then.  The low lighting, concrete floors, cramped quarters and lack of any big entertainment (seriously, can WW just kiss and make up with Marvel and DC already?) gave this show a distinct small show feel, just with a very big show admission fee.

That being said, I still found the show enjoyable.  The layout needs a ton of work if they’re going to maintain that size next year, and they need to find a way to make it more affordable for both vendors and patrons, but I still found a handful of good deals, saw some really cool new merchandise, and even got to see Stan Lee (even got him to sign the very first comic I ever purchased).  In the end, the main question that fans ask themselves is “would I go back”.  And honestly, yes, I would.  I got the distinct impression that more than a few guests won’t, and I absolutely understand why, but the bargain hunter in me just won’t let me stay away.

Want another Wizard World review…here’s 3!

Countess Gregula’s Review of Wizard World Chicago Comic Con

Countess Gregula’s Review of Wizard World Chicago Comic Con 2012 Greetings Countess Gregula here. This is my first ever ChicagoNow blog posting Hope you enjoy I can’t believe that it’s been over a week since Wizard.…

Wizard World To Debut Oregon Comic Con February Review Fix

Boondock Saints Stars Norman Reedus Sean Patrick Flanery David Della Rocco Superstar Artist Greg Horn First Guests Announced for Premiere Wizard World Event At Oregon Convention Center NEW YORK and.…

Wizard World Expands to Portland Stumptown Trade Review

Wizard World announced today that it is bringing its brand of pop-culture fandom to Portland in February. The three day convention will be at the Portland Convention center which has more than enough room to accomodate a.…

Bill A.

I’ve been a fan of comics since I first tuned in to the X-Men cartoon on Saturday mornings and got hooked as a kid. I started my business in 2010, Geek Inc Comics, and have been selling both online and at shows all over the Midwest since then. My heart belongs to Marvel, but I’ll happily discuss any series, any artist, any movie, any time.

More Posts – Website

Follow Me:

Mighty Con Comic Convention – Don’t Forget About The Toys & Gaming

Click Here To Learn about our 3 day Show In June…

FREE 2 Day April Comic Convention
in Illinois…Need I Say More?

We are teaming up with Wolff’s Flea Market, so any one that atteneds will get into the Comic Convention for FREE!

Where is the comic convention?

Wolff’s Flea Market – 1775 N. Rand Road Palatine, IL 60074

View Larger Map

When is the the comic book convention?

April 13th & 14th…the doors will open to the public at 10 a.m. and the show will go until 4 p.m on both days.

Who’s Coming to the Show?

Also Featuring…

Big Dog Ink
MCCM Family
Mark Alexander
Bryon’s Video
Alex Jensen
Roger Webb
Heroe’s Venture
Gabriel Bautista
Happy Day
Dan Hopkins
Lex Berman
Big Al
Murtz Comics
Louis Bielakowski
Don Wolff

kevin

More Posts